28 April 2023
Dear Parents & Carers,
It was wonderful on Wednesday to welcome those Year 6 students, parents and carers who will be joining us in September 2023. We encouraged Year 6 to enjoy the important rituals of their final year at primary school and have shared that same advice with our Year 11 and 13 students in the run up to their exams. It is important that they work hard, seek advice on any subject specific questions that they have and focus upon revision and final preparation. If you haven’t already discussed revision schedules at home please do so, and try to ensure that they turn off mobile phones at a reasonable time; avoid social media that can generate concern or leads to problems being brought into school; get sufficient sleep and take time to eat well and exercise. This reflects the advice that we have consistently given to Years 11 and 13 during their GCSE and A Level study. It goes without saying that being focused and conscientious in school is of the upmost importance too.
As you will read in the wider bulletin, our younger students have achieved some notable success this week. We are also excited about Amanda Pritchard’s visit next Friday. Amanda is a former student of the school and is currently leads the National Health Service. We are delighted that she is returning to the school and will meet with a wide range of our current students to discuss careers in health or medicine and why she chose to follow that particular career pathway. We will share more next week.
Have a good weekend.
Mr O’Sullivan
What is my child learning?
In the Learning section of our website you can find guidance on what every student at the school is studying. As well as an overview of our curriculum and principles behind it, you can find an overview of each subject area. You can also find a guide to the content being covered in every subject and how you can support your child for each half term here: Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | Year 13.
Year 7 Languages Spelling Bee
On Monday afternoon, four of our Y7 students headed to Emmanuel College to compete in the Routes into Languages Spelling Bee regional finals. The students had one minute to spell as many words in their chosen language (French, German or Spanish) as possible. Cyrus R and Isabella D finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Spanish competition, whilst Ben G finished 3rd in the German contest. Evan J did really well in a very competitive French contest, but just missed out on qualifying for the top four. Cyrus, Isabella and Ben will now head to Cambridge University in July to compete in the national finals. All four students were a real credit to the school and have worked very hard to get this far.
Miss Daglish & Ms Anderson
Languages Department
Sixth Form Notices
Please click the link below to read the weekly digest of news and information for Sixth Form Students.
Music Notices
Big Band
Many thanks to Big Band and their conductor (Joe Sollis in Year 13) for playing on Wednesday for the New Year 7 Welcome Evening. It is always a pleasure to hear them play and their lively repertoire certainly created a warm welcome as pupils, parents and carers arrived.
Instrumental/ Vocal Tuition - Years 11 and 13
During study leave/ exam period and after exams year 11 and 13 pupils who receive tuition from Durham Music Service are still more than welcome to come into school for instrumental/ vocal lessons. They do not need be in school uniform if they are just on site for this sole purpose, and if they are unable to attend lessons, please would you encourage them to inform their teacher in order that this time can be reallocated.
Music Department events later this term
Durham Johnston Music Festival
This will take place in James Hall on the evening of Thursday 29th June. The competition is open to all pupils who take music lessons outside school (including piano and singing), as well as those who receive tuition in school from DMS. Pieces, which must be solo (accompanied or unaccompanied), must last no longer than 3 minutes for Classes 1 and 2, and 4 minutes for Class 3. Pupils who play more than one instrument may enter a maximum of two different classes and the grades for each round refer to the standard of the piece performed and not to any formal qualification held.
The classes will take place at the following times:
- The Whinney Hill Cup (Grades 1-3), 18.00
- The Crossgate Moor Cup (Grades 4-5), 18.45
- The Durham Johnston Cup (Grades 6+), 19.30
Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Music for a Summer Evening:
Thursday 6th July, Atrium Cafe, 19.00
An informal evening of music making for Y13 leavers and their parents and friends.
Tickets will be on sale after half term.
Mr Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
We were due to play Durham School in the county cup cricket final on Monday but unfortunately the weather meant it had to be postponed.
However, cricket did go ahead on Tuesday as our U15 team travelled to Leeds to take on Leeds Grammar School in the National Cup. We batted first and scored an impressive 154 runs with Dom Ward top scorer. We bowled well, but unfortunately they reached our target with 2 overs to spare. An excellent performance to get so close to victory.
Also, on Tuesday our Year 7 & 8 basketball teams were due to be playing in the Junior NBA play-offs. Unfortunately, Whitburn conceded the Year 8 game. However, we did face Castleview at Year 7. This was a straight-forward 34 - 5 victory with Lewis Grieve POM. Both teams have now reached the quarterfinals.
St John's were the visitors for league football matches on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they had to concede the Year 9 & 10 games. However, we had two excellent victories at Year 7 & 8. Our Y7 team won 7 - 1 with POM Henry Burns scoring a hattrick. It was a similar story for Year 8 as they won 8 - 0 with a hattrick from Zack Smith. Asaph M was POM.
Good luck today to our U15 girls indoor cricket team who are at Headingley competing in the regional finals. If they win, they will reach the national finals at Lords.
Good luck also to our U13 cricket team who at taking on Durham School in the county final.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE